Maryland Real Estate Agent License
Complete requirements guide for Maryland
Pre-Licensing Education
Complete a 60-hour pre-licensing course from an MREC-approved education provider. Must pass final course exam with 70% or higher.
Required Courses (60 hours total):
- • Real Estate Pre-Licensing Course (60 hours)
Course certificate required for exam eligibility.
State Examination
Exam Name
Maryland Real Estate Salesperson Examination
Provider
PSI
Format
110 scored questions (80 national, 30 state) plus pretest questions, 2 hours total
Passing Score
70% on each section (56/80 national, 21/30 state)
Exam Fee
$44
Retake Policy: Can retake; $44 fee per attempt. Exam pass valid for 1 year.
Background Check
Type: Application requires criminal-history disclosure and supporting court records; MREC does not list a routine fingerprint charge
Disclosure and court records are conditional documentation, not a statutory exemption from investigation.
Sponsoring Broker
Must affiliate with a licensed Maryland broker to activate your license. Have 3 years from inactive status to affiliate.
Fee Breakdown
| Examination Fee | $44 |
| Application Fee | $98 |
| Listed Fees | $142 |
Listed license and exam fees: application $98 + exam $44 = $142. MREC does not list a routine fingerprint charge; conditional documentation costs and course tuition ($200-$500) are extra, so this is not a complete startup cost.
License Renewal
Renewal Cycle
Every 2 years
Renewal Fee
$78
CE Required
15 hours
Online Renewal
Yes
15 CE hours per 2-year cycle including required Legislative, Ethics, and Brokerage Relationships courses. Agents initially licensed on/after October 1, 2023 follow a first-renewal curriculum effective October 1, 2025. CE must be completed 30 days before renewal to avoid the reinstatement fee.
License Reciprocity
Reciprocal pathways with Pennsylvania and Oklahoma; other states may qualify by individual recognition. Contact the MREC Licensing Unit for details.
Maryland Real Estate Commission
- Official Website
- (410) 230-6200
- Apply Online
Helpful Tools
Compare Maryland
Upgrade to Broker
Requires 3 consecutive years as active salesperson, 135 hours of broker pre-licensing education, a current credit report, and passing the broker exam.
- • 3 years experience required
- • 135 additional education hours
- • Broker exam required
Last verified: 2026-01-12